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Hailed as a ’landmark’ by proponents and criticised as a ‘concession’ by detractors, the newly unveiled India–US trade agreement signals a decisive shift in bilateral economic ties. The deal lowers US reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports to 18 per cent, a sharp reduction from earlier effective levels that touched nearly 50 per cent once the Russia-linked punitive surcharge was factored in. The announcement, however, raises a pivotal question: has India finally secured its seat at the high table, or does it come at the cost of diluting the country’s long-held commitment to strategic autonomy?STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADExport Gains and…

The story so far: In 1999, California-based Nvidia Corp. marketed a chip called GeForce 256 as “the world’s first GPU”. Its purpose was to make videogames run better and look better. In the 2.5 decades since, GPUs have moved from the discretionary world of games and visual effects to becoming part of the core infrastructure of the digital economy.What is a GPU?Very simply speaking, a graphics processing unit (GPU) is an extremely powerful number-cruncher.Less simply: a GPU is a kind of computer processor built to perform many simple calculations at the same time. The more familiar central processing unit (CPU)…

Rachin Ravindra and Glenn Phillips steering New Zealand to victory against Canada during the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday, Febraury 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: S.R. RAGHUNATHAN Rachin Ravindra wasn’t in the best of form coming into the T20 World Cup and if that wasn’t enough he was under the weather too. Somehow, global showpieces seem to bring out the best in him and he has probably run into form for New Zealand as the Super Eight looms. After enjoying a wonderful run in the 2023 ODI World Cup in the…

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary is a convergence of conservation, community participation, and history. Once affected by deforestation and poaching, the sanctuary has emerged as a model for modern conservation, where local communities play a central role in protecting wildlife and restoring balance to the ecosystem.After a two hour drive through towns, crossing the coal and ore mining areas of Sambalpur (giving me Mad Max: Fury Road feels), the sights outside begin to change. We finally reach the dyke, an arm of the Hirakud Dam stretching 25 kilometres, and the view is cinematic. On one side lie the wetlands, their rippling waters…

In recent times, Bollywood has come out with a set of movies based on overt and covert conflicts with Pakistan. While Dhurandhar and Border II have made it big at the box office, Ikkis ran aground, perhaps because it converted what should have been an outstanding war movie into an anti-war whimper. But this story is not intended to be a critique or even a commentary on Ikkis but seeks to shed more light on the personality of the man who commanded the regiment ‘Ikkis-year-old’ Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal (Param Vir Chakra – Posthumous) fought as part of.STORY CONTINUES BELOW…

Fatigue, brain fog, irritability, headaches, and palpitations are not isolated symptoms. Doctors report seeing these especially among young professionals who stay up past midnight juggling project deadlines and household responsibilities, working long shifts, where restorative sleep feels impossible. Over time, this continuous lack of rest gradually alters the brain and body, affecting cognition, mood, metabolism, and long-term health. A study published in Nature Neuroscience helps explain why this happens. Researchers found that when you are sleep-deprived, your attention does not fade simply because you feel tired. Instead, the brain and body begin to shift together: brain activity changes, pupils subtly…

There continues to be intense debate worldwide about the definition of biological sex, boosted by some recent executive orders. The official theme of LGBTQ+ History Month (February) this year is ‘Science & Innovation’ and the natural universe is replete with examples of how the simple binary of sexes and genders to which some people would like to fall back on is really a cultural convenience rather than a “natural order”.A particularly clear example is the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). Studies of this bird have revealed that nature uses complex genetic systems to create a spectrum of sexual and social roles.…

President Donald Trump said that he’s directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to identify and release files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs because of “tremendous interest.” Image used for illustration purpose only. | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto President Donald Trump said on Thursday (February 19, 2026) that he’s directing the Pentagon and other government agencies to identify and release files related to extraterrestrials and UFOs because of “tremendous interest.”Mr. Trump made the announcement in a social media post hours after he accused former President Barack Obama of disclosing “classified information” when Mr. Obama recently suggested in a podcast interview…

In a sensational turn of events that included 17 dismissals in 63.2 overs, Jammu and Kashmir scripted a remarkable comeback to inch closer to victory over Bengal on the third day of Ranji Trophy semifinal at the Bengal Cricket Academy ground here on Tuesday.As two pacers, the seasoned Mohammed Shami and the promising Auqib Nabi, went about their business in an exceptional manner for their respective teams, the day produced a mixed bag of emotions for the home fans. Beginning at 198 for five, J & K banked on its batting depth to total 302 even as Shami recorded his…

File photo shows Space Launch System (SLS), with the Orion crew capsule, stands at launch complex 39B as preprations continue for the Artemis 2 mission to the Moon at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral | Photo Credit: Reuters NASA on Thursday (February 19, 2026) said it successfully rehearsed the launch of its massive SLS rocket, which will send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in over 50 years.Technical problems in early February cut short an earlier so-called wet dress rehearsal of the launch of the Artemis 2 mission.But on Thursday (February 19, 2026), the U.S. space agency…